Gaza Peace Council Proposes Payment for Hamas Fighters Who Surrender Weapons Amid Qatar-Hamas Tensions

The Gaza Peace Council is developing a proposal offering payments to Hamas militants and other terrorist group members in Gaza who surrender their weapons and commit to abandoning violence. This plan, reported on Tuesday evening by Kan News, is still being finalized and would require participants to undergo future monitoring. It aligns with the 20-point framework by U.S. President Donald Trump, which mandates that all weapons, including handguns, be licensed under Palestinian law. The program primarily targets the collection of Kalashnikov rifles.

Meanwhile, tensions have escalated between Hamas and Qatar following Hamas's appointment of Khalil al-Hayya as the organization's political bureau chief. Qatar had lobbied for Khaled Meshaal to assume the role, viewing him as aligned with Qatar and the Muslim Brotherhood, whereas al-Hayya is considered part of the Iranian axis. Palestinian sources told Kan News that Qatar is now punishing Hamas by restricting the movement of its leadership within Doha, requiring prior approval for any official meetings or receptions.

Hamas announced al-Hayya's appointment about two weeks ago, filling the position left vacant since the assassination of Yahya Sinwar in October 2024. The internal rift highlights the ongoing geopolitical struggle for influence over Hamas between Iran and Qatar. The peace council's disarmament proposal and the Qatar-Hamas dispute reflect the complex dynamics shaping Gaza's political and security landscape.